Thousands attend Rally in Saddlers to mark 20 years as Parliamentarians

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 2ND 2009 – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas expressed confidence Saturday that his governing St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party is on the path for a fourth victory.
 
Speaking at a mammoth rally on the lawns of Saddler’s Village, that preceded a 250-car Whistle Stop, Dr. Douglas offered two reasons why his Government should be re-elected.
 
“The maturity of the group of people to take St. Kitts and Nevis through the difficulties of the day. You also want a group of people who have a vision as to where this country can be in the future,” said Prime Minister Douglas, with all elected ministers of the platform.
 
Dr. Douglas said there were a number of matters to be concluded before the general election can be called including the matter of the electoral boundaries.
 
“I feel very, very, confident when I look at the tremendous support that came out today for the Whistle Stop and at this Rally. Labour is on the move for a fourth term,” Prime Minister Douglas told thousands who attending a Rally, which travelled from West Basseterre thru Constituencies #4 and #5 before concluding at the lawns in Saddlers in Constituency #6.
 
The Whistle Stop and Rally were part of the celebrations marking the 20th Anniversary of the election to the National Assembly on March 21st 1989 of Prime Minister Douglas and his Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Sam Condor.
 
“Labour will not be defeated by PAM. PAM is getting scared. PAM is getting frightened. PAM is becoming desperate,” said Prime Minister Douglas to the huge crowd, a significant number of them young people.
 
Dr. Douglas reiterated that the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) cannot defeat his Labour Party in the upcoming General Election.
 
He likened the opposition People’s Action Movement which has 1 of the 8 seats on St. Kitts in the National Assembly. “For all those months they are running by themselves. If you have a snail that is racing with itself, it must look fast. It must look fast because it is racing by itself. But now that Labour begin to mobilise and now that Labour has begun to ask the people if they are ready for the next general election, they are now scared,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
 
“Only Labour can defeat itself. That is why I make the point time and time again that Labour is bigger than anyone of us and any single one of us. Labour is big. Labour is massive. It is strong and it is proud. We must appreciate at all times where we have come from,” said Dr. Douglas, who mentioned the three new candidates that his governing party will field in the next general election.
 
He referred to former Speaker, barrister-at-law Ms. Marcella Liburd, who is replacing the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan in Constituency # 2 (Central Basseterre); Cable TV Marketing Executive, Mr. Glenn “Ghost” Phillip, who is replacing the Hon. Rupert Herbert in Constituency #4 (Challengers to New Guinea) and physician Dr. Norgen Wilson, who is the candidate in Constituency #5 (Sandy Point/Fig Tree). Astaphan and Herbert are retiring.
 
Dr. Douglas urged supporters of the Labour Party to ensure that the new candidates in Constituencies 2, 4 and 5 are elected to strengthen the Cabinet in the new term.
 
Prime Minister Douglas paid special tribute to all former and present Cabinet colleagues and Parliamentarians.
 
He singled out his Deputy Political Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor, who has been with him for the last 20 years. Mention was also made of Hon. Cedric Liburd and Dr. Henry “Stugumber” Browne and former senator, Mr. Walford Gumbs.
 
In thanking the joint Constituency Committees and the Labour Party Secretariat for organising the Rally and the Whistle Stop, Prime Minister Douglas paid special tribute to the thousands who participated in both events.
 
“You the Labour massive knows at all times what is right and I know that I can depend on Labour people any time,” said the Prime Minister.
 
In introducing Prime Minister Douglas, the Labour Party Chairman, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, who is also Minister of Finance, noted that the people of Constituency # 6 have spoken of Dr. Douglas’ outstanding service as their Member of Parliament “his hard work, his dedication and his love.”
 
“We of the Labour Party say a big thank you to him for his work, his contribution to the socio, economic and political development of our country and our Party,” said Dr. Harris as he introduced Prime Minister Douglas to speak.
 
Also speaking on the platform were Minister of Public Works, Utilities , Transport and Post, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin; Ms. Marcella Liburd; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Hon. Sam Condor; Mr. Glenn “Ghost” Phillip; Dr. Norgen Wilson and Hon. Cedric Liburd.